world reviewer
Mike Lyvers
Areas of expertise
Member statistics
- Member since
- 25th April 2007
I have been fascinated by the wonders of the natural world all my life. Volcanoes in particular have been a special interest of mine ever since I saw eruptions in Japan as a child back in the 1960s. There is nothing more spectacular in nature than a volcanic eruption; however, this particular passion can entail risks. Shortly after the catastrophic eruption of Mt. St. Helens in 1980, my father and I hired a light plane to fly over the devastated area; we were astonished to see hundreds of square miles of blown-down forest as well as the battered remains of vehicles whose owners had not been able to escape in time. In 1987 two friends and I foolishly tried to climb Arenal volcano in Costa Rica and were nearly killed by a tremendous explosion that sent car-sized volcanic bombs raining down onto the slopes above us. In 1991 my wife Leslie and I narrowly escaped a deadly pyroclastic flow at Japan’s Mt. Unzen, while the famous volcanologists Maurice and Katia Kraft (as well as 42 others) were not so lucky. I have been fortunate to see eruptions in Japan, Indonesia, Italy, the South Pacific, Africa, Hawaii, North America, Central America and South America. Other passionate interests include surfing, caving, trekking in the mountains, eclipse chasing and adventure travel. I am originally from Southern California but have not lived there since 1990; from 1990 to 1992 I lived in Japan, then lived in various parts of Europe from 1992 to 1995. Since 1995 I have been living on the beautiful Gold Coast of Queensland Australia.
Mike Lyvers's activity
- 14 Oct 2009
- 21 Aug 2009
- 20 Aug 2009
Mike Lyvers reviewed Otake in Japan
This highly active volcano has formed the remote island of Suwanosejima off southern Japan, one of the Tokara Islands. The island is accessible by boat and has limited accommodation. The volcano can be climbed, although the summit is officially off-limit…"
Mike Lyvers reviewed Prince William Sound in United States
Vast Prince William Sound is surrounded by spectacular mountains and features over 120 glaciers. It is perhaps even more awesome than Glacier Bay. A cruise is the best way to see the sights here. Otters and whales are among the wildlife highlights."
Mike Lyvers reviewed Misty Fjords in Alaska Northwest, United States
A beautiful wilderness area of soaring cliffs and waterfalls plunging into the sea, accessible only by boat or floatplane."
Mike Lyvers reviewed Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska Northwest, United States
Glacier Bay can be explored by cruise ship or kayak and features over two dozen tidewater glaciers as well as some of the tallest coastal mountains in the world, such as Mt. Fairweather (15,300 feet). Lots of wildlife can be seen in and around Glacier Ba…"
Mike Lyvers commented on Cruise on Alaska's Inner Passage in Alaska Northwest, United States
Cruise West is the best!!! I cannot recommend them enough. The pics I took above are from a recent Cruise West cruise."
- 06 Aug 2009
Mike Lyvers reviewed Katmai National Park in United States
With a wealth of volcanic features including one of the densest concentration of recently active volcanoes on the planet, Katmai National Park is a paradise for volcanophiles. The Park is accessible only by floatplane or boat, and the amazing volcanic sc…"
Mike Lyvers reviewed Brooks Falls Bear Viewing in United States
In July and September each year, the salmon run at Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park attracts dozens of large brown bears which can be viewed fishing for salmon from a specially built platform. Nowhere else can you get within meters of huge wild bears…"
Mike Lyvers reviewed Kerama Islands in Japan
The Kerama Islands are a group of small, rugged, sparsely inhabited islands fringed by coral reefs and can be reached by boat from Okinawa. These islands are well-known destinations for divers and snorkellers, with an abundance of colorful tropical …"
- 02 Apr 2009
Mike Lyvers reviewed Julian Alps in Slovenia
"The region encompassing Slovenia's Julian Alps and the Karst country is fascinating to explore both above and below ground. This area has some of the most most spectacular caves in the world, as well as world class kayaking and rafting on the Soka River.…"
- 13 Jan 2009
Mike Lyvers reviewed Mount Everest in Mount Everest, Nepal
The region surrounding Mt. Everest contains 4 of the world’s 6 highest mountains and is arguably the most spectacular mountain region on Earth. Thousands of trekkers make pilgrimages to famous viewpoints such as Kala Pattar and Gokyo Ri each dry season …"
- 08 Oct 2008
- 08 Aug 2008
Mike Lyvers reviewed Port Campbell region in Victoria, Australia
The coast east and west of Port Campbell on the south coast of Victoria attracts tourists from all over the world. Rock stacks, fjord-like inlets, sea caves, arches and other formations are abundant features of this rugged coastline. Highlights include t…"
- 22 Jul 2008
Mike Lyvers reviewed Old San Juan in San Juan, Puerto Rico
One of the oldest European cities in the Western Hemisphere, Old San Juan features narrow streets, quaint buildings, and the 16th century forts of El Morro and San Cristobal built by the Spanish to defend San Juan Harbor. The former has shell fragments f…"
Mike Lyvers reviewed Sulphur Springs in Saint Lucia
The steaming crater known as Sulphur Springs features vigorously boiling pools and small geysers of hot mud. The site was once mined for sulphur for the muskets of both the American and French revolutions. Nearby are the Botanical Gardens, with colorful …"
Mike Lyvers reviewed St. Lucia in Saint Lucia
St. Lucia vies with Moorea for the title of most beautiful tropical island in the world. The highlight is the southwest coast around the town of Soufriere, where the twin volcanic pinnacles known as the Pitons soar 2600 feet straight out of the bay. The …"
- 21 Jul 2008
Mike Lyvers reviewed Underwater Martinique in Martinique
Martinique has wonderful snorkelling and diving with a great variety of sites and some beautiful beaches."
Mike Lyvers reviewed Ruins of St. Pierre in Martinique
St. Pierre, once known as the Paris of the Caribbean, was completely annihilated in May 1902 along with its 30,000 inhabitants by the catastrophic eruption of Mont Pelee. Today visitors can explore some of the ruins from that disaster within the partiall…"
Mike Lyvers reviewed Mont Pelee in Martinique
On Ascension Day in May 1902, Mont Pelee erupted, incinerating the port city of St. Pierre - then known as the Paris of the Caribbean - and its 30,000 inhabitants in less than two minutes. This catastrophe shocked the world and was a seminal event in the…"
- 20 Jul 2008
Mike Lyvers reviewed Papillote Rainforest Retreat in Dominica
Rated in Conde Nast as one of the top 10 ecotourist destinations on earth, Papillote has stunningly beautiful rainforest gardens enclosing natural hot spring bathing pools beneath twin waterfalls that cascade down through the jungle from the volcanic hei…"
Mike Lyvers reviewed Boiling Lake in Dominica
The most famous sight on the lush Caribbean island of Dominica is the Boiling Lake, a small crater containing - as the name suggests - a boiling lake. This is only accessible to fit and experienced hikers, requiring a full day of hard hiking up and over …"
Mike Lyvers reviewed Dominica in Dominica
Dominica is perhaps the lushest, greenest, and most unspoiled of the major Caribbean islands. Go here to commune with nature, whether hiking the rainforest trails or exploring the undersea wonders off Dominica's spectacular coastline. Some of the highlig…"
- 17 Jul 2008
Mike Lyvers reviewed Soufriere Hills Volcano in Montserrat
The lush Caribbean island of Montserrat, once a hangout for wealthy rock stars, is now largely evacuated due to the eruptions of the Soufriere Hills volcano which destroyed the city of Plymouth and the entire southern half of the island. The volcano was …"
- 15 Jul 2008
Mike Lyvers reviewed St. John in British Virgin Islands
St. John has fantastic snorkelling. The best spots require either a hike or a boat to reach. The effort is rewarded by some of the finest coral gardens you'll find anywhere."
Mike Lyvers reviewed Devils Bay Beach in British Virgin Islands
Devils Bay can be reached from The Baths via a 20-minute hike through a maze of towering granite boulders. The beach is just as pretty but generally less crowded than The Baths. Snorkelling from here around to The Baths is spectacular."
Mike Lyvers reviewed Vieques Bioluminescent Bay in San Juan, Puerto Rico
Go only on a moonless night because the organisms don't glow if there is even a little moonlight. This is one of the highlights of the Caribbean. A kayak tour is best. Be sure to bring a diving mask and snorkel to view this astounding phenomenon underwa…"
- 12 Feb 2008
Mike Lyvers reviewed Caverns of Sonora in Deep South, United States
This cave is unbelievably beautiful. It is most famous for its often photographed "crystalline butterfly" helictite formation."
Mike Lyvers reviewed Jewel Cave in Plains Midwest, United States
Jewel is an amazingly complex maze, famous for its abundance of dogtooth spar crystals."
Mike Lyvers reviewed Ape Cave Lava Tube in US West Coast, United States
This incredibly long lava tube survived the cataclysmic 1980 eruption of Mt. St. Helens. There are more interesting lava caves in the region but this one is easily accessible to the public. If you are hungry after hours of exploring this somewhat monoto…"
Mike Lyvers reviewed The Pierre St Martin in South West, France
This is one of the most famous cave systems in the world. It is devoid of formations but the scale of the cave is almost beyond comprehension. Those not into hard core caving can reach the gigantic Salle de la Verna (second largest cave chamber in the w…"
Mike Lyvers reviewed Postonja Show Cave in Slovenia
The magnificent show cave of Postonja is Europe's answer to America's Carlsbad Caverns. The first part of the tour consists of a wild train ride in which you are hurtled at high speeds through several kilometers of cave passage. Formations rush past in a…"
- 22 Jan 2008
Mike Lyvers reviewed Malign Canyon in Alberta, Canada
Beautiful slot canyon in marble near the town of Jasper in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. A trail follows the entire length of the canyon with views of waterfalls and cave springs in the depths below."
- 20 Jan 2008
Mike Lyvers reviewed Grossglockner in Salzburg Province, Austria
Austria's highest mountain, the Grossglockner, is one of the most beautiful in the Alps. Its great shining pyramid of ice and rock towers majestically over a vast glacier, Austria's largest. The glacier can be accessed from the popular viewpoint known as…"
- 15 Jan 2008
Mike Lyvers reviewed Vercors Massif in Rhone-Alps, France
The Vercors Massif is not high but is spectacularly scenic. Towering limestone walls protect the upper reaches of this pre-alpine plateau cut with deep canyons and gorges. In some respects it resembles a European version of Venezuela's "Lost World.&…"
Mike Lyvers reviewed Zugspitze in Tyrol, Austria
The Zugspitze is the highest mountain in Germany, located in southern Bavaria near the charming town of Garmisch. The border with Austria runs right across the summit, which can be easily accessed via a spectacular cable car ride. The summit offers expan…"
- 03 Jan 2008
Mike Lyvers reviewed Predjama Cave Castle in Slovenia
This 15th century castle is unique for its spooky setting within the cliff entrance of an extensive cave system in the karst region of Slovenia."
- 27 Dec 2007
Mike Lyvers reviewed Guethary in South West, France
Classic French big wave reefbreak located a half km offshore. Holds any size and is best in winter."
- 26 Dec 2007
Mike Lyvers reviewed Topkapi Palace of the Ottoman Sultans in Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul's famous Topkapi Palace is arranged within a series of large courtyards. A line of rooms facing an inner courtyard is used to display some of the incredible wealth of the Ottoman Sultans, including jewel-encrusted swords, thrones inlaid with cou…"
- 05 Dec 2007
Mike Lyvers reviewed The Colca Valley & Canyon in Arequipa, Peru
Twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, the Colca Canyon is one of the deepest canyons in the world. Attractions include condor viewing, trekking, some fabulous outdoor hot springs, ancient pre-Incan tombs, and the unique and fascinating local indigenous cult…"
- 22 Nov 2007
Mike Lyvers reviewed Ao Phra Nang in Andaman Sea, Thailand
The famous Ao Phra Nang is one of the most stunningly beautiful beaches on the planet. If you ever tire of swimming in the warm clear waters you can rockclimb the limestone walls nearby, or explore the Princess Cave which opens right onto the beach. Beca…"
Mike Lyvers reviewed Grand Palace, Rattanakosin in Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok's Grand Palace, of "Anna and the King" fame, is a truly phantasmagorical place to explore with its complex of ultra-ornate and colorful buildings and temples. This was the official residence of the King of Siam from the 18th to the 20t…"
- 21 Nov 2007
Mike Lyvers reviewed Katanoi Beach in Phuket, Thailand
Phuket's beaches are legendary and Katanoi is one of the prettiest. Great food, white sand, friendly locals, and the crystal clear waters of the Andaman Sea make Katanoi a special place."
